07/10/2025
Throwback Thursday to 100 Years of American Legion Baseball! Here is the history from the American Legion website, and a few photos and articles from the local archives. Share your memories if you like.
It was a big vision from a Big Ten commissioner.
On July 17, 1925, the collegiate athletic executive spoke to The American Legion Department of South Dakota convention.
“There is nothing in our national life which stresses certain qualities that are expressed in our athletics,” said John Griffith. “Intelligent courage, fighting instinct and cooperation are some things which I believe are visibly expressed in our athletic games. American Legion posts, as a matter of citizenship training, could easily carry on such athletic activities throughout the United States.”
Just seven years after World War I, the former Army major understood the need for physically fit patriots to answer their nation’s call if needed. After Griffith’s address to the convention, a resolution was passed and American Legion Baseball was born.
The program was a hit. By 1926, more than 52,000 players participated. Legends and war heroes such as Yogi Berra, Ted Williams and Bob Feller would comprise some of the 87 Hall of Famers who have played American Legion Baseball over its first century.
By 1947, none other than Yankees-great Babe Ruth would serve as a national spokesman and consultant for the program. In 2010, the National Executive Committee selected Shelby, N.C., as the home of The American Legion Baseball World Series.
Coverage of the games by ESPN soon followed. Over its first century, conservative estimates are that more than 10 million young people have played American Legion Baseball.
During its meeting in May 2021, The American Legion National Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution calling for Legionnaires to raise awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a terminal disease that took the life of baseball great Lou Gehrig.
The resolution encourages a moment of silence on June 2, which also marks the date that Gehrig died in 1941. Lou Gehrig’s disease is a condition that has disproportionately impacted veterans. Informing the public about the tragic consequence of ALS can lead to additional research, funding, therapies and a still undiscovered cure.
One hundred years of American Legion Baseball is truly a milestone worth celebrating. Departments, districts and posts can publicize this great program with observances at baseball games or other community events in 2025.
